On July 18, 12 noon, at 417 Central Avenue in Cedarhurst J Greenstein will hold an auction including the following items:
Original Wedding Album of Bugsy Siegel’s Daughter, Millicent, and Jack Rosen, September 9, 1950. New York. This original wedding photo album documents the wedding of Millicent Siegel and Jack Rosen. Millicent was the eldest daughter of Benjamin (Bugsy) Siegel who was murdered three years prior (June 20, 1947). Jack Rosen was the son of mob associate Morris Rosen. The wedding took place in the Park Lane Hotel (NYC) in 1950. There are a total of 22 black-and-white photographs of the event. The most notable picture is that of Meyer Lansky (Ben Siegel’s best friend) walking Millicent to the chuppah. Notable personalities pictured include Esther (nee Krakower) Siegel, Barbara Siegel (Bugsy’s other daughter), Meyer Lansky, and Morris Rosen (who along with Moe Sedway and Gus Greenbaum took control of the Flamingo hotel and casino moments after Bugsy’s brutal murder). Pictured are also men in yarmulkes. Millicent was born in New York City on January 14, 1931, where she and her sister spent their early years. Her father, Benjamin, and mother, Esta (nee Krakower), who married in 1929, were both the children of Eastern European immigrants. Benjamin Siegel grew up on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, where he became best friends and lifetime partners with Meyer Lansky and formed the Meyer and Ben gang. They eventually formed unions with non-Jews such as Charles “Lucky” Luciano and were associated with Al Capone. Early money was made in bootlegging and racketeering with Louis “Lepke” Buchalter. They eventually joined with the Italian syndicate in forming “Murder Inc.” Estimate $8,000 – 12,000.
Pair of Matzah Plates and a Passover-Themed Teapot from the Estate of Don Rickles. Israel and England, 20th century. Each hand-painted. Sold in his estate auction at Abell’s Auctions (with original tag) This lot including The Collectors Teapot Collection Tony Carter/Bailey limited edition Shabbat table for two teapot, the underside numbered 372/98 and a set of two Yair Emanuel designed ‘Matzah’ ceramic Shabbat plates. The teapot is 7.5” inches tall and the plates are each 10.5” x 9.” Estimate $1,500 – 2,000.
Large Sterling Silver Cup Given to Molly Picon. Portugal, c. 1970. Hand-crafted with gilding and applied colored stones. Engraved with a dedication to Molly (February 28, 1898 – April 5, 1992) and Jack (Picon) on the occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary from Monroe Nash (September 17, 1912 – July 26, 1997) of the Rokeach company. Monroe Nash was the inventor of the gel-like substance that suspends jarred gefilte fish. Molly Picon was an American actress of stage, screen, radio, and television. Like many stars of the time, she began her career in the Yiddish Theater and film before transitioning into character roles in English-language productions. Most famous for her role as Yente in Fiddler on the Roof, she was also featured in Car 54, Where Are You with Fred Gwynne, The Naked City as well as the Cannonball Run series of movies. 9.3” tall. Estimate $4,000-6,000.
Abba Eban’s Megillah. Israel, c. 1970. 8.3” long. Handmade with a tubular main body. Decorated with applied wire work and filigree. Engraved Congregation B’nai Jeshurun and Abba Eban on the central diamond shaped cartouche. From the family estate of prominent Israeli diplomat Abba Eban. As the first representative from Israel to the United Nations, Eban rose to prominence through his eloquent defense of the young nation, eventually garnering the nickname “The Voice of Israel.” Estimate $5,000 – 7,000.
J. Greenstein & Company, Inc. Founded in 2004 by antique Judaica expert Jonathan Greenstein. For over 40 years, since the age of 14, Jonathan has been the “go to guy” when it comes to authenticating antique Judaica. The gallery holds a number of Judaica auctions each year and has collectors, museums, and other institutions that purchase these ritual objects to build their collections of Jewish art. J. Greenstein & Company, Inc. Auction house is exceptionally well-respected as experts in antique Judaica and Jewish Art.
Jonathan has been featured on CNN’s Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer, NBC news with Chuck Scarborough, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Crain’s New York Business, The New Yorker, KTLA Television, The Atlanta Commercial Appeal, The Forward, Reform Judaism Magazine, The Observer, Art Market Magazine, The Miami Herald, Long Island Business News, The Jewish Voice, The Jewish Week, The Times of Israel, The American Bar Association Journal, The Jewish Link, Jewish Business News, The Nassau Herald, The Five Towns Jewish Times, The Huffington Post, The Robb Report, The Motley Fool, CBSNY, The Texas Jewish Herald, and many others.
His auction house is famous for auctioning two of Marilyn Monroe’s prayer books, Elizabeth Taylor’s menorah, Sammy Davis Jr.’s personal menorah, Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach’s piano as well as Professor Alan Dershowitz’s Judaica collection. In addition, during the Madoff scandal, he was made famous for selling Rabbi Alexander Schindler’s Judaica pro-bono for his widow.
To learn more contact 516-295-2931, jonathan@jgreenstein.com, or visit JGreenstein.com.
